Denver and the state will once again be in the political spotlight, this time when the first of three presidential debates next year is held at the University of Denver.

DU will host the debate Oct. 3 in Magness Arena at the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness.

The announcement Monday by the Commission on Presidential Debates comes three-plus years after Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention.

“Once again our town is going to become the focal point of the electoral process,” chancellor Robert Coombe said at a news conference Monday on the DU campus.

The university was one of 12 seeking to hold one of the four nationally televised debates. It’s the first time Colorado has held a presidential debate.

And the state may play a key part in who is the next president of the United States, observers say, as Colorado is viewed as a “swing state” in the election.

“It’s recognition that the road to the White House runs through Colorado,” said Peter Hanson, assistant professor of political science at DU.

The debate also will to bring an estimated 3,000 media members from around the world.

The event will cost DU about $1.6 million. Coombe said he hopes to raise the money through private donations and fundraisers.

“We’ll be knocking on a lot of doors,” Coombe said.

DU was able to meet a rigorous set of requirements, including an air-conditioned debate hall of at least 17,000 square feet; large parking lots to accommodate people attending and covering the debate as well as television remote trucks, trailers and satellite trucks; a large hall for a media filing center; the ability to distribute tickets; and the availability of approximately 3,000 hotel rooms for the event within a 30-minute drive.

Rich Grant, spokesman for Visit Denver, said that aside from what the media contingent will spend covering the debate, the economic benefit will be intangible.

“I think the media coverage will be gigantic around the world,” he said.

All the tickets are assigned by the Commission on Presidential Debates, with the majority going to supporters of the two campaigns. University officials said students will have a priority as well, as the school hopes to use the debate as a learning experience for them.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to become involved on campus and involved politically,” said DU sophomore Stephanie Curtis, a 20-year-old accounting major.

Other debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates include the vice presidential debate Oct. 22 at Centre College in Danville, Ky.; the second presidential debate in a town-meeting format, Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.; and the third presidential debate, Oct. 22 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock attended Monday’s announcement and said the city will help in any way it can.

“For the first debate to occur right here,” Hancock said, “I think it’s something very monumental.”

Debate schedule

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